Fastener for shoe-uppers



No. 624,287. Patented May 2, I899. A. H. BAKER.

FASTENER FOR SHOE UPPERS.

(Application filed Apr. 19, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE.

ANDREW H. BAKER, or BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FASTEN ER FOR SHOE-UPPERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,287, dated May 2, 1899.

Application filed April 19,1393.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW H. BAKER, of Brockton, county of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Fasteners for Shoe-Uppers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

In the manufacture of boots and shoes what is called the upper is first made, after which it is applied to the last and then bottomed by the application of the sole or soles thereto, and prior to the application of the shoe-upper to the last it is customary to tie the sides of the upper, adjacent the lacing or otheropening, together, so as to cause the upper smoothly and tightly to fit the last, for if the upper were not thus tied about the last it would loosen thereupon and lose its proper position upon the last. Attempts have been made to improve the former method of tying the sides of the upper together with a string by providing pieces of leather provided with two rows of projections adapted to enter and engage the usual lacing-eyelets adjacent the edge of the lacing-opening, these projections being inserted in the eyelets to hold the latter and the edges of the upper together about the last. An objection to this device is that while the projections may be inserted in the eyelets to close the upper before the upper is applied to the last and while they may operate to hold the sides of the upper together about the last while the last remains in the shoe, yet because the holding projections are rigidly connected it is impossible to remove the last without removing the holding projections from the lacing-eyelets, which in such a device can be done only with great difliculty and frequently to the injury of the eyelets or the holding projections.

My invention has for its object to improve holding devices or fasteners employed for the above-mentioned purpose, and the special features of my invention will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1, in perspective, shows a shoe of usual construction in position upon a last with one form of fastener containing my invention in position holding the Serial No. 678,146. (No model.)

edges of the shoe-upper together. Fig. 2 is an under side View of the fastener by itself. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are other forms of device illustrating my invention. 7

Referring to the drawings illustrating various forms of my invention and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2, aindicates a usual shoe-upper provided with a usual lacing or other fastening opening 1), arranged in position upon a usual last, a portion of which within the shoe is indicated at c, the edges of the upper adjacent the opening I) being provided at their lower ends with usual eyelets e and at their upper ends with fastening or lacing hooksf, the eyelets and the hooks illustratingdiiferent types of fastening means which are or may be employed to fasten the shoe upon the foot when the shoe is in use, although it is understood that my invention is not limited to its use in connection with these or any particular forms or types of fastenings with which the edges ofthe shoe-upper may be provided.

The fastener shown in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of two separable members at (1, connected at one of their ends, as by a joint (1 so as to enable the said members to be separated or opened and closed as desired. These members d d are respectively provided with engaging portions or projections (1 (shown as laterally-extended hooks or lugs,) they being formed in Figs. 1 and 2'in such manner as to enter and engage the eyelets e at the edges of the shoe-upper. The number of these projections may be varied according to the dictates of the manufacturer or user, I having herein shown each member of the fastener as provided with four engaging portions, although it is obvious a greater or less number may be employed. At their ends opposite the fiexible connection 01 the said members are provided with suitable means for looking them in open or closed position or at any intermediate position between the two extremes, such looking or holding means in the devices of Figs. 1 and 2 consisting of a corrugated or serrated arm d, the serrationsor corrugations of which are adapted to engage and take hold upon the extended portion (1 of the cooperating member.

In use the fastener described will be ap- -Figs.-1 and 2.

plied to the shoe, as shown in Fig. 1, previous to the application of the upper to the last, the engaging portions (1 being inserted in the corresponding eyelets of the shoe-upper while the latter is opened or partly closed, after which the edges ofthe upper are drawn together, preferably before the last is inserted, and there secured by engaging the projection d of one of the members witha suitable notch or corrugation in the locking-arm d of the other member, as best shown in Fig. 1, where the projection d is. shown as retained in engagement with the locking notch or corrugation by the material of the upper lying beneath it and tending constantly to press it firmly in the locking notch or corrugation. The upper is now usually applied to the last and bottomed by the application of the soles thereto in usual manner, and when on completion of the shoe or for any intermediate operation it is desired to remove the last for insertion of a follower or a heeling-last orany stages of the manufacture by different man ufacturers the operator raises the free end of the locking arm or tongue d thereby disengaging the two members cl d and permitting them to be separated, thereby to release the engaging portions d in the eyelets from the holding tension and permitting the said eyelets and the edges of the shoe-upper to be If anopened for .the removal of the last. other or follower last is inserted, the upper may be again drawn about the new last or 'follower and the meinberscl d of the fastener:

again locked to secure the upper about this new last or follower, the engaging portions (1 notnecessarily being removed from engagement with the eyelets during the time in which the upper was opened, although they may be so disengaged, if desired. The joint or connection (Z is preferably suchfor example, as shown-as will enable the two members (Z d to tilt one with relation to the other or he in different angles or planes,

as will best enable them to lie flat upon'the' two edge portions of the upper where they are; brought together over the crown of the last.

In Fig. 3 I have shown another form of my invention wherein the separable members mm are shown as formed from fiat metal or other material, the engagingportions m being struck up or bent upwardly therefrom,

these two members being connected at one of their ends, as by a link m and at their opposite ends fitted with a suitable locking means, as the locking-link m pivotally connected at m to one of the members and provided with looking projections in", adapted to engage a suitable slot m in the other of said members, the operation or manipulation of the device when in use being substantially as described in reference to the device of In lieu of the locking-link m, with its projections, I may employ a chain attached to the free end of one of the members and provided with one or more links of suitable shape and construction to embrace or slip upon the end of the cooperating member to hold the two together, as indicated in Fig. 4. This latter construction is convenient because the end of the chain can be left protruding through the lacing-opening and may be grasped by the operator and pulled to release the separable members when, as may be, the fastener is applied interiorly or between the upper and the last. The chainfastener referred to is also of advantage whether the fastener is applied exteriorly or interiorly because of its great flexibility in enabling the members or fasteners to lie fiat upon and in the plane of the edge portions of the upper.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a fastener wherein the connected ends of the separable members are not jointed together, buthave a-connecting flexible portion or spring.

Obviously the engaging portions of the devices will be formed as required to properly engage eyelets or whatever form of fastening devices are provided at the opposite edges of the openingin the shoe-upper, I having herein shown eyelets and correspondingly-shaped engaging portions, for the reason that eyelets are almost universally employed at the pres* ent time.

My invention is not'limited to the embodiment or embodiments herein shown and dedescribed, as obviously it may be varied in many respects without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

Having described my invention without limiting myself to details, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fastener-for shoe-uppers, consisting of a plurality of connected members, separable one from another at their'endsfarthest removedfrom the point of connection, means on said members at that side of said connection adjacent said separable endsfor temporary engagement with the edges of a shoeupper, and means to retain said separable ends in holding position.

2. A fastener for shoe-uppers, consisting of a plurality of connected members separable one from another at their ends farthest removed from the point of connection, means on said members and between said connection and said separable ends for temporary engagement with the edges of a shoe-upper, and means cooperating with said separable ends to retain the latter in adjusted holding position.

3. A fastener for shoe-uppers, consisting of a plurality of connected members, separable one from another at their ends farthest removed from the point of connection, means on the said members and between the said connection and said separable ends for temporary engagement with the edges of a shoeupper, and locking means to retain said sep arable ends in holding position and constructed to permit release of the said holding ends for separation of the latter and the edges of the shoe-npper without disengagement of the said members from the said edges, for the purpose described.

4. A fastener for shoe-uppers, consisting of a plurality of connected members separable one from another at their ends farthest removed from the point of connection, eyeletengaging means on said members and between said connection and said separable ends for temporary engagement with the edges of a shoe-upper, and means toretain said separable ends in holding position.

5. A fastener for shoe-uppers consisting of a plurality of separable members flexibly connected one to the other at their ends, means for temporary engagement with the edges of a shoe-upper, and means adjustable to lock the said members one to the other at or adjacent their opposite ends.

6. A fastener for shoe-uppers consisting of a plurality of members provided respectively with engaging portions, and means to lock said members one to the other in desired holding position, the connections between said members permitting adjustment thereof to the plane of the edges'of the upper.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANDREW H. BAKER.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK L. EMERY', EDITH M. STODDARD. 

